BADNESS - UK JAZZ FUNK AND FUSION ALBUM THAT WAS MISSED BY THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHARTS
The UK newspaper which is known as The Guardian recently created an article about the UK Jazz/Funk scene of the early 1980s.
Please click on the link here to read more about it –
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/02/how-britfunk-overcame-racism-to-reinvigorate-uk-pop - written by Alex Petridis on the 2nd April 2021
The article is an excellent read which tells us about hardships, racism, and general hard work in trying to break into the National Pop charts within the Uk during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
We are talking about bands that were devoted to the music of UK Jazz Funk or Brit Funk as it is also called.
Morrissey Mullen was one of the UK’s premier jazz-funk outfits of the late 1970s and ’80s that was missing from the article above, which I felt should have been included as well.
Morrissey Mullen enjoyed critical success at a time when bands such as Shakatak, Freez, Light of the World, and Level 42 were emerging within the jazz-funk scene in the UK.
And these bands went on to achieve even higher accolades. Which I felt that Morrissey Mullen should have received as well…
I caught hold of the band during my late teenage years when capturing a song by Morrissey Mullen called “Stay a While” written by Jim Mullen and Linda Taylor from their album called Badness.
Morrissey Mullen – Stay a while – 1981
My first hearing of the song was by listening to both Robbie Vincent (“Radio London show” – London England – if you could get the Radio aerial in a good position to pick up the show!); and Dave Brown (with his “Boogie down with Dave Brown show” here in Ipswich Town).
That was my introduction to the band, Morrissey Mullen.
What an Introduction and what a song. I just had to get it.
Pen and paper were in hand after collecting a number of tunes from both shows that week (1981). I headed towards a number of record stores that were around within the town of Ipswich on a mission to pick up these “tunes”.
I eventually picked up the album from which the single was listed. I couldn’t get a single release at the time. So I purchased the album instead.
The album in question was called: “Badness”(Released in 1981)
The songs in order from the album are ( As below)
- "Do Like You"
- "Dragonfly"
- "Stay Awhile"
- "Blue Tears"
- "Badness"
- "Pass The Music On"
- "Slipstream"
The band featured these musicians:
- Dick Morrissey– tenor sax, soprano sax, flute
- Jim Mullen– guitar
- John Critchinson– keyboards
- Clive Chaman– bass guitar
- Chris Ainsworth - drums
- Chris Fletcher – percussion
- Linda Taylor - vocals
It was the band's 3rd studio album release. And what a lovely collection of songs here. Most of the songs are more geared toward the Jazz end of Jazz.Funk/Fusion. But they all work.
And it does take you back to that time we were here in England, on the club and dance scene. the music of Jazz/Funk, British funk, Lovers rock reggae, and New Romantic music scenes were dominating the Underground dance scenes.
Like I have mentioned earlier this was the band's 3RD Studio album release.
The band that we know as Morrissey Mullen was formed in 1975, whilst in New York (USA) by Saxophonist Dick Morrissey and guitarist Jim Mullen. They were performing at a six-week residency at the place known as Mikells based in New York City, USA.
They attracted the attention of musicians and artists of the like such as Boz Scaggs, David Sanborn, Steve Gadd, Steve Ferrone, Richard Tee, George Benson, Michael Brecker, Ray Barretto, and Randy Brecker
During their 16-year partnership together - Morrisey Mullen.
Dick Morrisey and Jim Mullen were known as Mr. Sax and Captain Axe.
This was due to their hallmark call-and-response style/s between their guitar and saxophone brilliance.
Jim’s searing guitar lines proved the perfect foil for Dick’s fabulous and hugely inventive sax soloing.
Between the mid-70s and 80s, the band created seven critically acclaimed albums - Up (which included the AWB's rhythm section), Cape Wrath, Badness, Life on the Wire, It's About Time, This Must Be The Place and Happy Hour.
But in my humble opinion.
The album that was Badness, was the best of the bunch.
Here are just a few of the highlights from the album in my opinion that make you want to buy the album.
Please click on the links below:
Morrisey Mullen – Dragonfly - 1981
Morrisey Mullen – Pass the Music on – 1981
Morrisey Mullen – Slipstream – 1981
All wonderful, wonderful tunes from musicians that were all highly skilled at playing their instruments; and delivering great music at the same time.
The Morrissey Mullen within those 16 years together included musicians such as Neil Wilkinson, Joe Hubbard, Trevor Barry, Pete Jacobsen, and John Critchinson.
The band also acted as a step forward for a new generation of young British musicians well versed in playing Jazz and Jazz fusion which included percussionist Chris Fletcher, bassist Henry Thomas, drummer Gary Husband, vocalist Claire Hamill, Carol Kenyon, Tessa Niles, Linda Taylor, and Noel McCalla.
However, after the failing health of Dick Morrissey. The band that was known as Morrissey Mullen came to an end in 1988. And only, two years after that Dick Morrissey passed away in November 2000 aged 60 years old after fighting various forms of Cancer.
Please click on the link below regarding
The Life and Death of Dick Morrissey:
To brighten the mood. News of the band's legacy – that was/is Morrissey Mullen seems to have bought forward via a pending gig of all the remaining members of the band; who have decided to perform once again on the 8th of August 2021.
Jim Mullen and Noel McCalla have decided to reform the band as a tribute to Dick Morrissey - hence the Morrissey Mullen Legacy - https://www.facebook.com/morrisseymullenlegacy/
So far the confirmed musicians that are set up to play are - Jim Mullen (guitar), Noel McCalla (Vocals), Dave Lewis (Tenor Saxophone), Mike Gorman (Keyboards), Ernie McKone (Bass), Geoff Dunn (Drums).
The date for this return is – 8th August 2021 at Colchester Arts Center, England.
Here is the official link for the announcement - The Colchester Arts Center hosts the Morrissey Mullen legacy.
We hope to see you there!!
What are your thoughts on this article and the music singles present them? Give me your thoughts and views about the songs. Which song was your favorite for instance from the album called BADNESS?
Well, that's all folks for me now anyway.
Please CONTACT ME here if you want to discuss anything mentioned in this article.
Dj Mistri and the Electric Soul Show © www.electricsoulshow.com
